How would you feel if you had to be "Somebody Else" at Work?

Oct 25, 2022 12:00 pm

Hello Dear Friends,

I hope you're well.

I'm honestly feel like, I have been playing Full Out and I need to slow down a notch! Good thing I've just booked my facial for Saturday! 😍😍

Ok, so I digress!

Today I'm going in deep to talk about the many faces, hats or persona's that we all have and for us to think about the implications from a neurodiversity and a DEI perspective.

The term "masking" is usually referred to those who have Autism, "hiding or not doing certain behaviours" which are not neurotypical.

I'd like us to take a look at this definition below:

Disguise or suppress specific autism traits or behaviors in social situations and think are 'weird' or not sharing intense interests.

Think about the energy it takes to prepare for and get ready for a good work day.

Then ask yourself how would I feel if I had to go to work and "pretend to be someone to fit in"?

Do you think you would feel:

Tired

Confused

Not wanting to be found out

Wondering if I've been "normal enough"

This is not only the experience of autistic people, it also the experience of neurodiverse people more broadly because they are worried about:

Not making mistakes

Not appearing "to be slow"

Not wanting to "appear anti-social"

Trying to overcompensate with perfectionism

Hiding their neurodiversity for fear of stigma

Whether to disclose being neurodiverse and what that will mean for their career

From the DEI space this is also about authenticity and can you really be your true self at work?

And not feel you need too:

Code Switch

Be in the Closet

Need to identify with a gender you don't feel is the right one

Hide your emotions in the workplace if you're a woman

I bet at some level, you can probably identify with masking whether your neurodiverse or not.

And that's quite deep!

Much of this is down to societal and cultural norms. I don't have all the answers, but I share this for awareness, education and for us to understand that everyone can do something to make a difference.

Making a difference can come in the form of:

Confronting our own biases

Educating ourselves on neurodiversity, gender equality, racism

Calling it out when you see it

Taking action to make change in your sphere of influence

Let's take a pause and consider what's 1 action I will take to be more empathetic and understanding?

The final thing on my list is to share with you an opportunity to help you with PREJUDICE and BIAS against people with “invisible disabilities”.

If you'd like to receive training on neurodiversity, supporting high-performing teams and well-being in the workplace click: HERE

There are only 8 spots available on my Neurodiversity Confident Membership starting in Jan 2023.